Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2013/08/02/itc_obama_patent_decisions_late/

Tick-tock, Apple: Obama has just days to stop US iPhone iPad sales ban

US prez has final say on Apple-Samsung patent war outcome

By Brid-Aine Parnell

Posted in Legal, 2nd August 2013 15:18 GMT

The US International Trade Commission has delayed its decision on whether or not some of Samsung's mobile devices infringe on Apple patents.

The commission said that it wouldn't finish its investigation into the mobes and fondleslabs until next week, without giving any explanation. The ruling concerns fruity patents that deal with touchscreen interaction, side buttons on devices, plugs and headphone and mike jacks.

The warring firms are currently waiting for another ITC-related decision from President Barack Obama, who has to decide whether to back a commission finding that some older Apple iDevices infringe on a Samsung patent.

If the president upholds the ruling, the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G could be banned in the US. Obama had 60 days to make the decision from when the ruling was released on 4 June, which means that he should be making his announcement any day now. He has until Tuesday next week. ®